In 1954, a group of people who had moved to Augusta for various reasons found themselves isolated because of their religious views, which did not fit the standard community expectations. Church affiliation was a fundamental requirement for community acceptance. Gradually, this group made contact through the Aiken Fellowship meeting forty miles away.  In addition, some meetings were purely accidental (it was really a small town then).  In 1954, Munroe Husbands, a representative of the American Unitarian Association in Boston, who traveled the United States establishing Unitarian Fellowships, arrived in Augusta.  Following the meeting, twelve adults were ready to commit themselves to organizing a Unitarian Fellowship in Augusta.

 

 

1954—We Are Founded

Earliest known advertisement about Unitarianism in the Augusta Chronicle—1931

The 12 founding members include:

Peggy Kelly

Donald A. Kelly

Betty Allen Annis

Larry Annis

Betty M. Thomas

Billy D. Thomas

Sam Davis, Jr.

Mrs. Morgan Fitz

Morgan Fitz

Marguerite Arledge

Ray Borden

Essie T, Clark

Lt. Helen J. Baird

 

 

Influential members joining within the next year include:

Don Hostetler

Betty Hostetler

Bob Martens

Kay Sutherland (Ohannesian)

Jim Sutherland

Kip Brown

Walter Brown

 

 

Over the next seven years, the group grew slowly.  Since they had initially agreed not to meet in members’ homes, they began a journey around Augusta. They were able to maintain their basic strength and enthusiasm, but they soon realized they needed a permanent place to meet.